Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabars
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Published Aug 28, 2020, Updated May 17, 2024
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These homemade coconut chocolate chip Larabars require only five ingredients: dates, almonds, cashews, coconut and chocolate chips.
If you’ve ever had a Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabar before you’ll know it’s packed with coconut flavor and studded with sweet chocolate chips — basically a health nut’s candy bar. I think it might be my favorite Larabar flavor, although I do love Apple Pie Larabars , Peanut Butter Cookie and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip as well.
Homemade Larabars are So Easy
If you’ve never tried your hand at making Larabars before, I’ll let you in on a little secret… they’re incredibly easy to make. Plus, they’re cheaper than buying Larabars at the store. I’ve made homemade key lime Larabars as well, but this coconut chocolate chip flavor is my fave and it’s perfect for a nagging sweet tooth.
Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabar Ingredients
You only need five simple ingredients and a food processor!
- almonds and cashews – raw and no salt added
- Medjool dates – you can buy medjool dates that are already pitted or pit them yourself (it’s super easy). Two brands that I like are Natural Delights and Joolies. You can find Natural Delights in the produce section of most grocery stores (near the bananas) and Joolies are offered on Amazon and Thrive Market.
- unsweetened shredded coconut flakes – be sure to get unsweetened shredded coconut, not the sweetened coconut
- chocolate chips – I like using dark chocolate chips from Enjoy Life or Lily’s. Both of these options are dairy-free.
Can I Use a Blender to Make Larabars?
When making homemade Larabars I like to use my food processor fitted with the S-blade. A high powered blender (like a Vitamix) will likely work in a pinch, but I prefer using my food processor because it chops the dates and nuts more evenly. Using a blender to make energy balls with dates can be done, but it’s kind of a pain and results in a sticky mess.
If you don’t own a food processor, I highly recommend getting one. I have a ton of kitchen appliances and my food processor is one that I can’t live without. I use it ALL THE TIME for everything from thinly slicing onions to shredding Brussels sprouts and making treats like these chocolate covered healthy peanut butter balls.
If you don’t have a food processor and still want to make energy bars, check out my recipe for tahini fig bars or these baked oatmeal bars.
How to Store Homemade Larabars
You can store your homemade Larabars in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. They’ll last up to 1-2 weeks in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. I like using glass storage containers or Stasher bags.
Not in the mood to press these into bars? I have a recipe for coconut chocolate chip energy balls too!
More Energy Balls and Bars
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- No Bake Protein Balls
- No Bake Energy Balls
- Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls
- Apple Pie Energy Balls
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups medjool dates, pitted*
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips, dairy-free if needed
Instructions
- Prep dish: Line a square or rectangle baking dish with parchment paper.
- Process nuts: Place coconut, almonds and cashews into food processor fitted with the S-blade and pulse until everything is chopped into small pieces. Place nut mixture in a bowl and set aside.
- Process dates: Put dates into the food processor and pulse until a paste forms. The dates will probably form into a sticky ball. If they do, break about the ball a bit with your hands.
- Add nuts and coconut back into the processor with the dates and pulse until well combined.
- Add chocolate chips and pulse a few more times, until they’re just incorporated.
- Set and slice: Place in the fridge for 20 minutes to harden up and then slice into bars.
- To store: Store any leftovers in the fridge with parchment paper between them for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
- Hard/dry dates: If your dates are hard and dry, you can soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes to soften. Just drain them well before using.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oh my! These look absolutely delicious!
Hi!! Curious on the nutrition counts. It what your showing per individual serving or entire batch then divded by how many pieces you would cut it into?
Hi Glanna. The nutrition facts are for one bar and the whole batch makes 12 bars. 210 calories for one.
I don’t know if this question will be seen but here goes. What size baking dish did you use? I’m guessing 8×8 but want to confirm. I just started making “plain” homemade larabars for my daughter and I think she’ll love this flavor!
Hi Mina! I see all the comments so you never have to worry whether your question will be seen. 🙂 I used a 5X7 rectangular baking dish, but any size will work. If you use an 8X8 baking dish your bars will just be a bit thinner. Hope this helps!
Thank you!
Getting ready to try this recipe. If it goes as easily as you describe, I add this to a new blog I am getting started. The pictures and descriptions give me the confidence to try this out. Not much of a food processor person. Have to pull it out of the original box after all these years.
Follow up to my previous post. Used the food processor and have found a snack better than Girl Scout samoas. I had 1 1/4 cups of dates, so added 1/4 cup of oatmeal. Your recipe is now going to be a staple in my weekly routine. Thank you for such a delicious treat.
Woo-hoo! I’m so glad you like the homemade Larabars, Bonnie. Enjoy!!
Followed recipe exactly
Wonderful flavor!!!! But they were Kind of dry and didn’t hold together as well as I thought they would
I used whole medjool dates from Costco
I pitted and packed down well into the neasuring cup
Suggestions?
SJ
Hmmm.. That’s odd Sharon. The dates were probably just a little dry. I’d try adding some water to rehydrate the dates a bit and make the dough stick together better. Start with just a teaspoon or two and see if that helps.
I made these with dates (soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drained) with 1/2 c raw sunflower seeds (lightly toasted in the oven), 1/2 c raw pumpkin seeds instead of nuts. SO GOOD! And my son can take them to school:)
Oh gosh! I just discovered this flavor of Lara Bars, and I am obsessed. I’ve been getting them at the local co-op this month because they’re on sale, but I will be all over this recipe when the sale ends! Thank you!!
What would you suggest for a net free bar like this? My kids cant have nuts in school and I have been looking for something like this to use as a snack. Thanks.
Can I use ninja blender as a food processor? also can I add chia seeds?
Yes to both! 🙂
If it’s got coconut in it, I’m in! 🙂